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Distinct
states correspond to minima of a potential energy surface in a configuration space. In this classical
picture, the activation energy
for transforming state
A into state
B is the maximum increase in energy
(relative to the ground state of A) encountered on a minimum-energy path from A to B. Energy
here refers to potential energy;
an analogous definition based on free energy
can be constructed. When tunneling
is considered, lower energy
paths become possible, but an activation energy
can be associated with the reaction
(at a given temperature)
via the relationship between temperature
and reaction
rate.
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